English Language

On the occasion of end of the Superman comic, language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg considers the origin of the word "Superman," and how "super" began to be used in other ways.

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg reflects on the year 2000, what it used to mean and how it resonates today.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg comments on "Estuary English", a new accent in London that combines high and working class modes of speaking.

The tenth edition of "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary," is out. Terry talks about pronunciation with one of the book's associate editors, Brian Sietsema -- and examines how recent Fresh Air guests say particular words.

Linguist Geoffrey Linguists considers the use of language in the business world. He says its fractured, list-based nature can be traced back to the ever ubiquitous slide presentation software, where narrative holds little sway.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg defends the use of "you know."

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg on the oral culture of Somalia.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg talks about the bicentennial of the French Revolution.

Steven Pinker, a psycholinguist at MIT and director of its Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, has a new book on how language works: "The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language" (Morrow). He argues that language is not simply a cultural invention taught by parents and schools, but a biological system, --an instinct-- partly learned, and partly innate. To Pinker, a three year old toddler is a "grammatical genius", capable of obeying adult rites of language, similar to web-spinning in spiders or sonar in bats.

Rock Critic Ed Ward on encountering the hip new language in Berlin: English.

Rock critic Ed Ward on the troubles of shopping in Berlin.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about how the French are trying to keep their language pure.

Speech Therapist Sam Chwat. Chwat's New York Speech Improvement Services attracts 200 to 250 clients a week. He taught Robert DeNiro how to gain an Appalachian accent for his role in "Cape Fear." Julia Roberts sought him out to relearn her southern drawl for "Steel Magnolias." He helped another southerner, Andie McDowell, after her lines for "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan" were dubbed by Glenn Close.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about the computer language of the nineties, and looks at how new "information age" words sound remarkably like George Orwell's Newspeak.

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg reflects on the pronunciation of foreign words by broadcasters.

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg tells us about his handheld electronic dictionary.

Tannen is the author of the bestselling, "You Just Don't Understand." She has a new book about communication between the sexes, "Talking From 9 to 5: How Women's and Men's Conversational Styles Affect Who Gets Heard, Who Gets Credit, and What Gets Done at Work."

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg comments on his young daughter's use of the exclamation "YESSSS!"

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg comments on the importance of the integrity of language to the French.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg says that the word is akin to the New York City borough -- little known and misunderstood by many. He has this commentary.